A prototype version of Earnest Evans was released by drx of The Hidden Palace on the 2nd of May 2016. This is a prototype of the cartridge version of the game, and whilst not much is different in terms of the levels, it does still have some things that were cut from the final game.

Prototype

Final

The prototype features a completely different introduction sequence which is an accurate translation of part of Mega CD version's story. This intro -which can be seen in full here -also goes on for a lot longer than what the final version has. The final version instead uses part of the intro from the CD version, with all of the dialogue removed and several shots cut out.

It seems that Renovation had originally intended for the cartridge version of the game to faithfully follow the same story as the CD version, but ended up scrapping these plans for the final product. The game's story is only revealed in the manual and on the back of the box, and is very different to what was in the CD version.

It's a shame the proto's intro went to waste. One of the images appears to be based on an image featured in a cutscene from the CD version, where Ullrich speaks to Al Capone.

Prototype

Final

A small edit was made to the layout of the copyright text.

Prototype

Final

Some edits were made to the main menu choices. "RESTART" was changed to "START". The prototype's "CONFIGURATION" -which was used in the CD version -was changed to "OPTIONS" for the final game.

It seems that whoever did the screenshots for the manual took images from a prototype version of the game, as page 6 shows the proto's menu screen.

Prototype

Final

The prototype features a border beneath the HUD, something that was also present in the CD version. However the border was removed from the final version, and the stuff in the HUD was moved down slightly.

Prototype

Final

If you get to the top of the train carriages in level 5 in the prototype version, you'll find 3 enemies with guns in the prototype -the same as in the CD version. For the final cartridge version of the game, there are only 2 enemies, one who has a pipe, the other has a gun.

Prototype

The prototype version has a brief ending scene which was taken out of the final version.